Going Deep with Mark Teixeira

The roar of the crowd fills your ears as the electric atmosphere of World Series Game 2 Yankee Stadium crackles all around you. Stepping up to the plate, the ever dangerous Pedro Martinez stares you down from the mound just before rocketing the ball towards you. The tension is palpable as you make the split-second decision to swing with all your might, the crack of the bat echoing through the stadium as the ball soars to right-center. Time seems to stand still as it clears the fence for a home run. Rounding the bases, heart pounding, you think to yourself, "Wow, I just hit a home run in the World Series!"

Mark Teixeira, celebrated Georgia Tech alumnus, MLB legend, and the man who actually lived that dream scenario, joins Sandy and Sandra on today's thrilling episode of The Adrenaline Zone. Teixeira unpacks his journey from a backyard wiffle ball player in Maryland to a professional powerhouse, covering his early baseball inspirations, pivotal career decisions, and rise from high school prospect to first-round draft pick. They explore his affiliation with Georgia Tech, his refusal to sign with the Red Sox, and key moments in his professional path. Listeners gain an unparalleled view into major league sports as they discuss Mark’s minor league experiences, cherished major league moments, Gold Glove Awards, and the challenges of playing different positions. Mark also shares insights on becoming a switch hitter, the impact of technology on the game, the pressures of playing for the Yankees, and offers advice for aspiring professional baseball players.

Episode Highlights:

• Mark’s start in baseball
• Playing at Georgia Tech and getting drafted
• His time in the minors
• Cherished moments from his time in the majors
• Winning 5 Gold Glove Awards
• Playing first base vs third base
• Starting a new position in the majors
• The toughest pitchers Mark faced
• Becoming a switch hitter
• The process of hitting in the majors
• How data, technology, and analytics are impacting the game
• The pressure of playing for the Yankees
• Dealing with injuries
• Visitors’ locker rooms
• Georgia Tech and its impact on his life
• Mark’s current work with Georgia Tech and his thoughts on NCAA’s NIL policy
• His advice for aspiring professional baseball players

Quotes:

"I feel like everything that happens to you in life, you either make an excuse, you make it a crutch, or you make yourself better from it."

"When you face guys in the majors, you're not just facing pitchers, you're facing experience and intelligence.”

"Develop a love for the game, because if you don't, you're not going to practice enough or play enough to build your skills. If you have the talent and passion, everything else will follow."

"If you want to learn how to hit a baseball, go outside with a little skinny yellow bat when you're three or four years old and have your dad or your friends throw you wiffle balls in the wind."

"I learned the business of baseball at 18 years old, and I learned to not take it personally.”

"From a team perspective, bar none, winning the World Series with the 2009 Yankees is my most cherished memory.”

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Mark on X: https://x.com/teixeiramark25?lang=en